Folding table



A. E. NULL FOLDING TABLE April 25, 1933.

Filed Feb. 5, 1931 and the leg preferably by screws.

Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNETED gTATES ABRAHAM E. NULL, 0F MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE FOLDING TABLE Application filed February 5, 1931. Serial No 513,478.

This invention relates to improvements in tables having folding legs and more particularly to means for bracing and imparting to the legs rigidity when they are positioned for use.

The objects of this invention are:

To provide a simple and efficient folding leg and means for bracing the same when the leg is shifted into position for use.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawing,

' in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a portion of the table top and the upper end of the leg hinged thereto;

Fig. 2 is an inverted sectional plan taken as on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a reduced scale, inverted plan of a square table top with the legs hinged thereto, the legs in this view being folded.

Referring now to the drawing in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, 10 is the table top and 11 the rails. 12 are legs which are each hinged to the table top in the corner formed by two of the rails as by hinges 13 which are secured to the top 14 are brackets or braces each secured to a leg and extending therefrom parallel to the hinge axis which brackets turn with the leg as it is swung on its hinge. Each bracket is slightly less in thickness than half the leg thickness at right angles to the hinge and is secured to the edge of the leg flush with that side of the leg that is swung against the rail by the hinge action. Preferably each bracket is provided adjacent the end remote from the leg, with an adjustable bearing member 15, which may be a screw as shown, and which may be adjusted beyond the top of the bracket to provide additional tightening. 16 are brackets independent of the legs which are each secured to the table top by a hinge 17 these hinges being disposed at right angles to the hinges 13. This brace is so positioned with relation to the legs with which it coacts that when the bracket is folded against the top it is moved out of the path of the leg as it is folded down around its hinge. The bracket is adapted to be swung around the hinge 17 to the dotted position 16A in the path of movement of the leg aboutits hinge, and when so positioned, the end 18 of the bracket bears solidly against the leg to prevent movement of the leg and to hold it firmly braced against the opposed rail. and bracket are provided with complementary parts of a bullet latch the leg being provided with a button 19 and the bracket with an indented member 20 which engages the button when the bracket is swung into bracing position, to prevent accidental displacement of the bracket. The thickness of the brackets 16 is likewise less than half the leg thickness so that space is provided when the leg is folded as shown in Fig. 3, for the bracket 14 attached to the leg to nest over the bracket 16 attached to the top.

The brackets 16 are cut away at 21 to provide clearance for the hinges 13.

In using the device the folded legs of the table as shown in Fig. 3, are each swung outward about their hinges and each against a rail, and the braces 16 are each swung upward to securely brace the leg in such position, and are secured in such position by engagement of the bullet latches, thus securely bracing the leg against movement in any direction. Should the bracket 14 attached to the leg not brace the leg tightly enough against the rail the screw 15 may be moved outward to adjust and tighten the bracing action.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

In a folding table having a top and depending side rails, forming a rectangle, legs each disposed beneath the table top in the angle formed by the intersection of two of the rails and positioned with a side and an edge against said rails, hinges one for each of said legs secured to said top and to the side of said leg away from one of said rails whereby folding of the leg along the other of the rails may be accomplished, a bracket of less than half the leg thickness secured The leg to the edge of said leg away from the second of said rails, and having its top flush with the top of said leg, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to said hinge axis, the rail face of said bracket being substantially flush with the rail side of said leg means for adjusting the height of said bracket adjacent the outerend thereof, and an auxiliary bracket hinged to said top, and positioned when open parallel to said second rail, in the path of said leg and bracing said leg against the first of said rails said auxiliary bracket being less than half the leg thickness and being adaptedto be swung about said hinge out of the path of said leg, said post and the bracing end of said bracket having complementary parts of a bullet latch thereon to hold said latter bracket in place when in position to brace said leg.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

V ABRAHAM E. NULL. 

